Method of manufacturing a connecting rod assembly for an internal combustion engine

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a connecting rod assembly having a stepped small end. The method includes defining a small end of a connecting rod assembly having a terminal end and defining a pin bore extending therethrough. A pair of channels are formed on opposite sides of the small end, perpendicular to the pin bore and a bushing is subsequently installed into the pin bore. Where a connecting rod assembly does not include a bushing the method includes defining a small end having a pin bore and forming pair of channels on opposite sides of the small end. A contact surface is then defined within the pin bore to engage a piston pin and the small end is machined to provide a stepped configuration. The connecting rod assembly is then machined to reduce the width of the small end to provide a stepped configuration.